Abstract: A crashworthy bench (1) for an aircraft having a cabin that includes a floor (51), a ceiling (52), and substantially vertical partitions. Said bench (1) comprises a frame (2), at least one seat for a passenger, with each seat comprising a seat, a back, a retaining system (7) for retaining said passenger, and at least one energy absorber device (20). Said frame (2) is fastened to the inside of said cabin via one low connection point (8) for each seat and via at least one high connection point (9) for said bench (1). Two low connecting rods (11) and one leg (12) connect the frame (2) to each low connection point (8) on said floor (51). Two high connecting rods (15) connect the frame (2) to the high connection points (9) on said ceiling (52) or on a vertical partition of the cabin of the aircraft.

Abstract: A main landing gear system for an aircraft including a truss element, a first support unit and second support unit affixed to the truss on opposing sides of the truss, a first actuator and a second actuator rotatively affixed to respective first support unit and second support unit and to a respective first wheel and second wheel, a first trailing link and second trailing link each coupled to the respective first wheel and second wheel, a first extension plate and second extension plate each rotatively coupled to the respective first trailing link and second trailing link and to a side of the truss, a first plate locking unit and second plate locking unit rotatively affixed to an end of the respective first extension plate or second extension plate and to a side of the truss.

Abstract: A variable geometry inlet for a ducted fan is selectively transitionable between a first and second mode. The inlet includes a retractable ring that extends circumferentially about the inlet and is selectively movable between an axially extended position in the first mode and an axially retracted position in the second mode. A tube extends circumferentially proximate the retractable ring, and is pressurizable to a relatively deflated state in the first mode and to a relatively inflated state in the second mode. A stretchable skin extends circumferentially proximate the retractable ring, and is elastically deformable in at least a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis of the fan. A leading edge of the inlet in the first mode is defined by the stretchable skin disposed against a forward edge of the retractable ring, and in the second mode by the stretchable skin disposed against at least a portion of the tube.

Abstract: A balloon having a balloon envelope formed with a plurality of adjacent envelope gores sealed together at their respective edges to form an edge seam between each of the adjacent envelope gores, a tape comprised of fibers applied to a centerline of each of the envelope gores, wherein the envelope gores are constructed such that the edge seam between each of the adjacent envelope gores is longer than the centerline of each of the envelope gores, and wherein a load caused by pressurized lifting gas within the balloon envelope is carried primarily by the fiber tapes on the centerlines of the envelope gores, rather than the edge seams between the adjacent envelope gores.

Abstract: Embodiments include an aerial vehicle. Two winged surfaces are provided in communication with a fuselage. The surfaces are in communication at a front edge via a cuff, at a midsection via a first resilient member, and at a trailing edge via a second resilient member. As the aerial vehicle is in flight, it is subject to loads. The connections of the surfaces provides flexibility and resiliency to maintain the surfaces in communication with the fuselage and to allow regulated separation of the winged surfaces at their rear edges in a first direction in a first flexed state and at their front edges in a second direction, different from the first direction, in a second flexed state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an ion-thruster stationkeeping method and mounting configuration that reduces the propellant penalty when a single thruster fails, e.g., in the case where only three of a spacecraft's four ion thrusters are available. By improving firing efficiency for the single-thruster failure case, on-board propellant is reduced, thereby allowing increased payload mass. Also, the configuration supports both N/S and E/W stationkeeping using four ion thrusters (or three thrusters for the failure case) and therefore does not require a separate propulsion system or thrusters for E/W stationkeeping.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical sensor having one or more thermally sensitive components. The sensor is gimbal mounted on a space or air-borne vehicle and includes a heat sink component thermally coupled to the one or more thermally sensitive components via at least one heat strap and configured to at least passively receive and store thermal energy from the one or more thermally sensitive components without use of a motorized thermal energy transfer device. The apparatus also includes a radiator configured to receive thermal energy from the heat sink component and to dissipate thermal energy to an ambient environment. The radiator is disposed on a first side of an optical path of the sensor opposite a second side of the optical path on which the heat sink component is disposed. The heat sink component is configured to at least partially balance a center-of-gravity of the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first tube portion forming a portion of an air vehicle deployable pod and a second tube portion. The first and second tube portions are slidably coupled. The apparatus also includes a cavity formed between the tube portions. The second tube portion slides relative to the first tube portion to reduce the size of the cavity and dissipate energy upon impact of the first tube portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for launching space vehicles into orbit involve placing a space vehicle into a protective container. The protective container is placed on a sled in a maglev tunnel and then launched into the atmosphere. Once the protective container reaches a certain height the space vehicle is released from the protective container and the space vehicle then proceeds to the desired orbital position.

Abstract: An emergency pod configured for use with a rotary wing aircraft is provided including a rigid, generally hollow shell. An inflatable raft is arranged within an interior portion of the hollow shell. The life raft is coupled to an inflation mechanism. A first activation device and a second activation device are operably coupled to the inflation mechanism, the second activation device being disposed within the shell and fastened to a movable portion of the shell, wherein the first activation device and the second activation device operable independently of one another. Inflation of the inflatable raft is initiated when a force is applied to one of the first activation device and the second activation device.

Abstract: A hybrid aircraft (1) having a fuselage (2) extending longitudinally along an anteroposterior plane of symmetry (PSYM) from the rear (4) of the aircraft (1) towards the front (3) of the aircraft (1). The aircraft (1) has a rotary wing (6) carried by the fuselage (2) of a lift surface (10) fastened to the fuselage (2) and constituted by a first half-wing (11) and a second half-wing (12). The aircraft (1) has a first propulsion unit (30) carried by the first half-wing (11) and a second propulsion unit (40) carried by the second half-wing (12). Each propulsion unit (30, 40) includes at least one tractor propeller (31, 32, 41, 42), and at least one propulsion unit has two propellers (31-32, 41-42) on the same axis, each of said propellers rotating about an axis of rotation (AX) that is offset transversely from said anteroposterior plane of symmetry (PSYM).

Abstract: A device for stowage of carts including: a first compartment configured to receive carts lined up side by side; a second compartment configured to receive carts lined up side by side, including an aperture allowing cart entry and exit and arranged above the first compartment; a substantially horizontal platform capable of moving in a vertical direction between a lower position in which it is substantially at floor level and a higher position in which it is substantially level with a lower, substantially horizontal wall of the second compartment and facing the opening thereof; and a mechanism arranged in the second compartment for motorized transfer of at least one cart from the second compartment to the platform and vice versa.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a flying boom that is capable of refueling both receptacle-equipped aircraft and probe-equipped aircraft. In one embodiment, a flying boom includes a refueling tube at an end of the flying boom that is adapted to extend from the end of the flying boom to refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft. The flying boom further includes a retractable hose and drogue assembly at the end of the flying boom that is adapted to extend from the end of the flying boom to refuel probe-equipped aircraft.

Abstract: A standard transit tug is disclosed. The tug can dock with spacecraft to provide propulsion for the spacecraft. Further, the tug may dock with other specialty tugs to form a custom transport system.

Abstract: The invention provides an aircraft with a ventral fairing able to store equipment and systems in lateral zones. The ventral fairing (20) comprises a first zone of length L1 along the X-axis, where the area of the cross-section perpendicular to the X-axis increases in the direction of the air flow and a second zone of length L2, where the area of the cross-section perpendicular to the X-axis decreases in the direction of the air flow, being L1>L2 and being placed the rear end of said first zone behind the intersection of the trailing edge of the wing (15) with the fuselage (13).

Abstract: A vibration isolator includes an upper housing and a lower housing; an upper reservoir housing defining a upper fluid chamber; a lower reservoir housing defining a lower fluid chamber; a piston spindle resiliently coupled to the upper housing with an upper elastomer member, the piston spindle being resiliently coupled to the lower housing with a lower elastomer member; an elongated portion having a tuning passage; and a tuning fluid disposed there within. The vibration isolator cancels vibratory forces at an isolation frequency. The vibration isolator is utilized in a pylon system for mounting a transmission in an aircraft. The vibration isolator is located between a pylon structure and a roof structure. The isolator includes a spherical bearing assembly that is located near a waterline location of a rotational axis of a drive shaft.

Abstract: An aircraft according to the invention enables passengers to be received and comprises a first deck for receiving passengers, a second deck for receiving passengers, which is placed over the first deck, as well as at least one access door. The first deck has at least one first zone having a substantially planar floor and situated on the same level as the access door and at least one second zone having a floor offset in height relative to the first zone. The cabin further comprises at least one rectilinear ramp linking the first zone of the first deck to the second zone of the first deck, and at least one rectilinear ramp linking the first zone of the first deck to the second deck.

Abstract: A moveable control surface mounting rib assembly (110) comprises a rib (144) which is attached to one side of a spar member (112) and a stiffener (160) attached to another side of the spar member. The stiffener abuts the upper and lower flanges of the spar member in order to react the loads. The invention is applicable to the mounting of any movable control surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to operate laminar flow control system doors are described. One described example apparatus includes an outboard structure of an aircraft, a first door assembly on a first side of the outboard structure having a first door defining a first opening and a second door assembly on a second side of the outboard structure having a second door defining a second opening. The example apparatus also includes a perforated surface proximate a leading edge of the outboard structure and an actuator disposed in the aircraft. The actuator drives first and second linkages that couple the first and second doors to the actuator. The first and second linkages are to operate the first and second doors, respectively, in an open mode in which the first and second openings create an airflow path between the perforated surface and the first and second openings.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a fixed mounting structure that includes a first fixed fitting including a plurality of first flanges and a second fixed fitting. A rotatable mounting structure has a swivel fitting configured to engage and swivel with respect to the first fixed fitting. The swivel fitting includes a plurality of second flanges, one of which is configured to rest on one of the plurality of first flanges when the swivel fitting and first fixed fitting are engaged. The rotatable mounting structure also has a slide fitting configured to slide with respect to the second fixed fitting based on the swivel fitting being engaged with the first fixed fitting. An adjustment assembly is arranged at an interface between the second fixed fitting and the slide fitting. The adjustment assembly is configured to adjust an angular position of the slide fitting relative to the swivel fitting.